At noon on July 9, Mr. Huynh Ngoc Dung - Director of the Management Board of Ly Son Marine Reserve - said that the unit had just coordinated with the volunteer group Team Light Charity to release 35 crab turtles to bring their eggs to the coastal waters. This crab lot has a total weight of more than 8kg, bought from fishermen at prices ranging from 700,000 to 800,000 VND per kg.
This is part of a marine life conservation program maintained from 2023 to present, focusing mainly on the breeding season of the baby crab - lasting from March to June every year. During peak times, conservation area officials coordinate with volunteer groups to proactively purchase crabs that are carrying eggs to release them back into the sea, while propagating and encouraging fishermen not to exploit crabs for reproduction.
"The most important thing is how to help fishermen clearly understand their role in protecting seafood resources. When they understand the long-term value, they will be the pioneer in preserving instead of exploiting it to the fullest, Mr. Dung emphasized.
Emperor crab - known as the "king" of sea crab species - has long become a famous specialty of Ly Son island district. According to the elders, the name "imperial crab" or "imperial king" comes from the fact that this crab was once chosen to be the king because its meat was firm, sweet and rich in nutrients.
However, that popularity also brings a big challenge. In recent years, high demand for consumption, especially during the tourist season - which coincides with the breeding season - has made the exploitation of baby crab huge, pushing this precious crab species to the risk of exhaustion in the wild.
Realizing that, the Management Board of Ly Son Marine Reserve proactively approached fishermen to buy back the crabs that were laying eggs, and at the same time called on the community to join hands to preserve the precious breeding source.
